frustrate

[ fruhs-treyt ]

verb (used with object)

, frus·trat·ed, frus·trat·ing.

1. to make (plans, efforts, etc.) worthless or of no avail; defeat; nullify:

   The student's indifference frustrated the teacher's efforts to help him.

   Synonyms: circumvent, foil, balk

2. to disappoint or thwart (a person):

   a talented woman whom life had frustrated.

verb (used without object)

, frus·trat·ed, frus·trat·ing.

1. to become frustrated:

   His trouble is that he frustrates much too easily.

adjective

1. Obsolete. frustrated.

frustrate

/ frʌˈstreɪt /

verb

1. to hinder or prevent (the efforts, plans, or desires) of; thwart
2. to upset, agitate, or tire

   her constant complaints began to frustrate him

adjective

1. archaic.
   frustrated or thwarted; baffled

Derived Forms

• frusˈtrater, noun

Other Words From

• frustrat·er noun
• frustrat·ing·ly adverb
• frus·tra·tive [fruhs, -trey-tiv, -tr, uh, -], adjective
• re·frustrate verb (used with object) refrustrated refrustrating

Word History and Origins

Origin of frustrate¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English, from Latin frustrātus, past participle of frustrārī, verbal derivative of frustrā “in vain”

Word History and Origins

Origin of frustrate¹

C15: from Latin frustrāre to cheat, from frustrā in error

Synonym Study

See thwart.

Example Sentences

Progress on catching these scammers remains unclear, with many victims frustrated by slow moving complaint processes.

From BBC

Housing advice and prevention officer Hannah Berry said: "People can be very angry, upset, frustrated... they just want a home."

From BBC

Fans booed towards the end of the contest, frustrated by the drab affair.

From BBC

But the game remained frustratingly out of the hosts' grasp.

From BBC

Several politicians who represent Porter Ranch and support closing Aliso Canyon said they are frustrated by what they see as a lack of urgency and clarity around when the site will realistically cease operation.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• baffle
• confront
• depress
• discourage
• dishearten
• hinder